Interview: Biggie's Son, the Actor

The Notorious B.I.G.'s son's first role was a portrayal of his late father in 2009's Notorious. He was kind of a shoe-in for that one. But now, 14-year-old Christopher "C.J." Wallace has taken on a part unrelated to his familiar name and features. He's starring with Will Ferrell in the dark comedy Everything Must Go (opening May 13).

Wallace plays Kenny, an awkward loner who befriends a recovering alcoholic whose wife has left him. According to the BVX, the film is "an unexpected slow burner, with Ferrell abandoning the big punch lines for a rare dramatic turn."

Also pleasantly unexpected: The young teen is reflective about the opportunities that have been presented to him, thoughtful about his bourgeoning career and realistic about Hollywood's limits ("I'm currently reading for other movies and films but right now mainly school. I have to stay on top of that, or else I won't be able to do the acting," he told the interviewer.)

Read part of his interview with the BVX here:

BJ: You're the son of the most perhaps beloved rapper ever, the Notorious B.I.G. Do you ever think about doing music?

CW: [If I did music], I feel that a lot would be expected of me, and I'm definitely not up to where my father was. Acting just came randomly. I wasn't even into it at first. When I did 'Notorious,' my grandma, Ms. [Voletta] Wallace, she told me that I should come in and read for the part as my father. Honestly, I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to do it because it seemed so likely for me to do it, like Biggie's son is going to play Biggie. After I had my acting coach and really read through it, I started to find out things that I didn't know about him. Then I took more of an interest into it. It was actually fun, going out to New York, living like him, going into his old apartment, doing what he did. It was cool.

BJ: Was it more exciting to do 'Notorious' or a movie with Will Ferrell?

CW: It's kind of a tie honestly. Being able to play my dad was pretty great. But being able to co-star with Will Ferrell is so great too. I watched all of his movies. He's hilarious, and to be in one of his first not-comedy movies is even greater.

CW: Not sure. I'm currently reading for other movies and films but right now mainly school. I have to stay on top of that, or else I won't be able to do the acting. It guess it could considered a stepping stone. It's definitely fun doing this acting. Hands down I would love to do it for my entire life. I'm only 14, so I'm not really sure yet. I got a lot of time to figure it out.